DPWH-6 engineer takes spotlight in World Road Congress

AN ILONGGO engineer was among the 387 road transport experts from over 70 countries who were featured in the 26th World Road Congress held on October 6-10, 2019 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center (ADNEC) in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Currently assigned at the Planning and Design Division of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)-6 regional office, Engr. Ray Adrian C. Macalalag presented his paper entitled, “The Engineering Aspects of Policy and Governance in Road Safety in Western VIsayas, The Philippines” during the poster sessions of the conference.

A poster of Macalalag’s paper was also featured at the exhibition hall of ADNEC.

Adding to this feat, he was the only Filipino in the congress attended by nearly 5,000 delegates from 120 countries all over the world.

His paper focused on the analysis of road crashes from 2015-2017 and related the data with the national road density of each city or municipality. The result was a score rating from 1 to 10, with the latter being the most vulnerable or high risk.

Macalalag’s study highlighted the need for urban planning and legislation to institutionalize its role in safer roads in line with the United Nations Decade of Action for Global Road Safety 2011-2020.

The DPWH is proud with Macalalag’s achievement, especially DPWH Secretary Mark A. Villar.

In a post on his official Facebook page, Sec. Villar lauded the young engineer: “… Saludo kami sa’yo!”

Engr. Macalalag attended various foresight, workshop, and technical sessions, focusing on road safety in low-middle income countries, development of sustainable road safety audit and inspection, building partnerships for road safety, and design and operations of safer road infrastructure.

He also made a field visit to Masdar City, a sustainable mixed-use development designed to be very friendly to pedestrians and cyclists with the pioneering design and utilization of personal rapid transit or driverless cars.

Engr. Macalalag is an alumnus of the University of San Agustin where he finished his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering and Western Institute of Technology for his master’s degree in engineering; both institutions are in located in Iloilo City.

He has been specializing with highway safety for three years and has been a partner of various government agencies and local government units in programs for road safety. (DPWH/RACM)